Notice Information
Notice Title
Specialist Technical and Commercial Advisory for Rail and Other Transport Systems Framework (STARFour)
Notice Description
In line with its commitment to increasing investment in the UK's transport infrastructure, the Department for Transport (DfT) requires ongoing access to high-quality, specialist technical and commercial advisory services. This need is currently fulfilled through the STARThree Framework, which succeeded the Specialist Technical Advisory for Rail (STARTwo) Framework--both managed by the Department's Group Commercial Directorate (GCD). The Department for Transport intends to publish the STARFour Framework, a fourth generation, closed, multi-lot framework agreement to succeed the STARThree Framework (expiring July 2027). However, this will be subject to approvals and market engagement feedback. STARFour will provide continued access to specialist technical and commercial advisory services across all transport sectors, supporting the Department, its ALBs, and other qualifying bodies. Building on the success of STARThree, the new framework will encourage SME participation, promote innovation, and deliver value for money through streamlined procurement routes including mini-competitions and direct awards. The STARFour Framework is essential to maintain a fit-for-purpose, flexible, and cost-effective route for specialist transport technical and commercial advice following the expiry of STARThree. As transport challenges grow--across net zero strategies, decarbonisation, multi-modal integration, and industry restructuring--STARFour will ensure DfT, ALBs and qualifying bodies have continued access to critical expertise across all transport sectors, not just rail.
Planning Information
The Department for Transport is launching preliminary market engagement for the STARFour Framework. Alongside this notice, we have shared the proposed STARFour Category Chart and Category List for your review. A short video briefing has also been prepared, providing background on the STARFour Framework and outlining its scope and objectives. This can be accessed using this link: https://tinyurl.com/STARFourFramework We are keen to gather views on the proposed scope and overall structure of STARFour and welcome your feedback to help shape our approach. Please share your views by completing the survey using the following link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FOUR0000MarketSoundingQuestionnaire/ We kindly ask that responses are submitted no later than 5pm on Wednesday 28 January 2026. In order to access the proposed STARFour Category Chart and Category List, please use the Jaggaer online portal using the following link: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/go/77730479019BA2F83148 If you are not already registered on the Department for Transport's e-sourcing platform Jaggaer, you can register via the following link: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/ Thank you for your engagement. We look forward to receiving your feedback.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-05fd57
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001922-2026
- Current Stage
- Planning
- All Stages
- Planning
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
- Procurement Type
- Framework
- Procurement Category
- Services
- Procurement Method
- Not Specified
- Procurement Method Details
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Tender Suitability
- SME
- Awardee Scale
- Not specified
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
-
- CPV Codes
71241000 - Feasibility study, advisory service, analysis
71242000 - Project and design preparation, estimation of costs
71244000 - Calculation of costs, monitoring of costs
71311000 - Civil engineering consultancy services
71311200 - Transport systems consultancy services
71311230 - Railway engineering services
71311300 - Infrastructure works consultancy services
71313410 - Risk or hazard assessment for construction
71313420 - Environmental standards for construction
71313430 - Environmental indicators analysis for construction
71313440 - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) services for construction
71313450 - Environmental monitoring for construction
72240000 - Systems analysis and programming services
73210000 - Research consultancy services
73220000 - Development consultancy services
73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
79311100 - Survey design services
79311300 - Survey analysis services
79311410 - Economic impact assessment
79312000 - Market-testing services
79313000 - Performance review services
79314000 - Feasibility study
79315000 - Social research services
79411100 - Business development consultancy services
79412000 - Financial management consultancy services
79413000 - Marketing management consultancy services
79417000 - Safety consultancy services
79418000 - Procurement consultancy services
79419000 - Evaluation consultancy services
79421100 - Project-supervision services other than for construction work
79421200 - Project-design services other than for construction work
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- £350,000,000 £100M-£1B
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 9 Jan 20261 months ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- 8 May 20263 months to go
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 30 Jul 2027 - 30 Jul 2030 3-4 years
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Planned
- Lots Status
- Planned
- Awards Status
- Not Specified
- Contracts Status
- Not Specified
Buyer & Supplier
Contracting Authority (Buyer)
- Main Buyer
- DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
- Contact Name
- Not specified
- Contact Email
- star3-framework@dft.gov.uk
- Contact Phone
- Not specified
Buyer Location
- Locality
- LONDON
- Postcode
- SW1P 4DR
- Post Town
- South West London
- Country
- England
-
- Major Region (ITL 1)
- TLI London
- Basic Region (ITL 2)
- TLI3 Inner London - West
- Small Region (ITL 3)
- TLI35 Westminster and City of London
- Delivery Location
- Not specified
-
- Local Authority
- Westminster
- Electoral Ward
- Vincent Square
- Westminster Constituency
- Cities of London and Westminster
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001922-2026
9th January 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086155-2025
24th December 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.
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